BELCHER HOLDS LEAD FOR SECOND DAY AT JERRY PATE/ANDREWS INSTITUTE SOUTHERN JUNIOR Blondell surges ahead to take lead in Boys Division

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Kellye Belcher of Bartlett, Tenn., used steady play to maintain the lead after the second round of the Jerry Pate/Andrews Institute Southern Junior Wednesday. In the Boys Division, Logan Blondell of Lakeland, Fla., came from two shots back after the first round to grab the second round lead by one shot over Bobby Wyatt of Mobile, Ala.

Conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, the Jerry Pate/Andrews Institute Southern Junior is being held at A.C. Read Golf Club — Bayou and Lakeview Courses. The par-72 course is set up at 6,876 yards for the Boys Division and 6,020 yards for the Girls Division. The tournament field consists of 63 boys and 21 girls, ages 12-18, representing 14 states, including 41 Florida residents.

Belcher recorded a birdie on her first hole of the day, and added two more birdies on the back nine. Belcher shot an even-par 36 on the back nine, for an 18-hole total of 73 and a two-day total of 1-over-par 145. Belcher said she expected to play well this week, mainly because of her past performance on similar courses.

“I really like the golf course,” Belcher said. “I won a tournament on a course similar to this a couple of weeks ago, so I know that if I hit fairways and greens I should be in good shape.”

As for tomorrow, Belcher said that she wants to not worry about what other people do, and just concentrate on her own game.

“Tomorrow I just need to go out and focus on my own game, and not worry about what anyone else does, because you can't control what other people do,” Belcher said.

Andrea Messer of Largo, Fla., and Nathada Huachai of Windermere, Fla., stand two shots off the pace after firing a second-round 72 and 73, respectively, for a two-day total of 3-over-par 147.

In the Boys Division, Blondell entered the second round two shots off the leader. Blondell played consistent golf on the back nine, his first nine of the day, recording a single bogey for a 1-over-par 37. Blondell improved his play on the front nine, recording birdies on three of his last six holes. Blondell shot a 3-under-par 33 on the front nine for a second-round total of 2-under-par 70. Blondell said he's excited to be playing in the final group tomorrow.

“It feels pretty good to be leading after the second round,” Blondell said. “I'll be nervous because I've never been in the lead going into the final round at an AJGA event. I've been in the final group before, but I've never been in this position.”

Wyatt is currently in second place after shooting a 2-under-par 70 for a two-day total of 142. Sam Chien of San Diego, Rosson Anderson of Birmingham, Ala., and Alex Donaldson of Windermere, are tied for third place, two shots behind the leader with a two-day total of 1-under-par 143.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. The largest Association of its kind, the AJGA has a junior membership (boys and girls ages 12-18) of approximately 5,000 junior golfers from 50 states and 30 foreign countries.

Titleist, the AJGA's National Sponsor, has been the catalyst and driving force behind the Association's success since 1989. Rolex Watch USA, which enters its third decade of support, became the inaugural AJGA Premier Partner in 2004.

AJGA alumni have risen to the top of amateur, collegiate and professional golf. More than 160 former AJGA juniors currently play on the PGA and LPGA Tours and have compiled more than 300 wins. AJGA alumni include Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Mike Weir, Charles Howell III, Jim Furyk, Candie Kung, Grace Park, Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer.

Final-round tee times will run from 7 — 8:57 a.m. off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees at A.C. Read Golf Club — Bayou and Lakeview Courses on Thursday. For more information on the Jerry Pate/Andrews Institute Southern Junior, please call AJGA tournament headquarters at (850) 452-9157.

The American Junior Golf Foundation is the primary recipient of all charitable giving to the AJGA and as such administers a variety of programs designed to compliment the AJGA and the members and families who make up our community. Learn more about these important programs and how your contributions to the Foundation secure the AJGA’s financial future for future generations to come.

The Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant program provides financial assistance to junior golfers who wish to play in AJGA events. Its goal is to give top-flight golf opportunities to young golfers regardless of financial resources. This program helps to fulfill the AJGA’s mission of developing young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.

Leadership Links

What is Leadership Links?

Leadership Links is a new program whereby the AJGA is able to further its mission to help develop young men and women by teaching charitable giving skills and service-oriented practices at an early age. This program gives juniors all the tools necessary to donate their time, talent and resources to local charities and the AJGA youth development programs. Please click here to learn more about the program and the different opportunities available.

The American Junior Golf Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and
development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.